The storyline is fresh and not something banal as you would see in a holiday film. Definitely one of the better holiday telefilms I have watched in 2022 so far! “An En Vogue Christmas” is recommended!
Click here to watch “An En Vogue Christmas” on Amazon
TITLE: An En Vogue Christmas
FILM YEAR: 2014
DURATION: 87 Minutes
COMPANY: Lifetime Television
Directed by Brian K. Roberts
Written by Dayna Lynne North
Produced by Nicholas Hirst, Kim Todd
Executive Producer: Sharon Bordas, Nicholas Hirst, Fernando Szew, Kim Todd
Co-Executive Producer: Hannah Pillemer
Music by Lou Pomanti
Cinematography by Samy Inayeh
Edited by Ron Wiseman
Casting by Stephanie Gorin
Production Design by Gordon Barnes
Art Direction by Theresa Tindall
Costume Design by Ruth Secord
Starring:
Genelle Williams as Kendall
Terry Ellis as Terry
Cindy Herron as Cindy
Rhona Bennett as Rhona
David Alan Grier as Marty
Daren A. Herbert as Vaughn
Max Topplin as Jake
Asha Bromfield as Saige
Eugene Clark as Nathan
Arnoold Pinnockj as Kent
Ciara Alexys as Young Kendall
Christopher Russell as Rick
Natural-born leader, Julia (Jacky Lai), returns to her hometown of North Falls for Christmas to drown her sorrows in eggnog, cookies, and Yuletide after her recent political campaign for city council ended in a landslide loss. It’s the perfect place for Julia’s holiday escape—until she realizes coming home means running into her old high school rival, Parker (Jake Epstein), the arrogant know-it-all who beat her in a race for senior class president. When the North Falls mayor resigns, the town holds an emergency election, and Julia and Parker find themselves once again facing off. But as Julia and Parker campaign their way through the Christmas season and plan a toy drive together, Julia begins to see a different side of Parker, and the ice between them slowly begins to thaw. As their political race comes to a head, Julia and Parker discover winning isn’t everything.
Possibly one of the biggest surprises that I never knew was ever made, it was the holiday telefilm “An En Vogue Christmas”.
The telefilm was aired on Lifetime Television, but what was surprising is the fact that it stars the hottest vocal group of the ”90s, En Vogue.
I absolutely loved this group growing up and their vocals are so captivating. But I know that while the original four members split up and got into a situation which would lead to both sides duking out in court for use of the En Vogue name and, two members Terry Ellis and Cindy Herron would win and continue on as En Vogue and also adding a third member, Rhona Bennett.
But what was surprising was seeing the three star in their own holiday telefilm, not just singing but also acting, and I couldn’t wait to watch it!
The holiday telefilm stars Brian K. Roberts (“Everybody Loves Raymond”, “The Drew Carey Show”) and is written by Dayna Lynne North (“Veronica Mars”, “Switched at Birth”, “Insecure”).
Along with the three En Vogue members, starring in this film are Genelle Williams (“Orphan”, “Spiral”), David Alan Grier (“The Wiz Live!”, “Joe Pickett”, “In Living Color”), Daren A. Herbert (“Hot Tub Time Machine”, “This Means War”), Max Topplin (“Carrie”, “Shoot the Messenger”), Ash Bromfield (“Riverdale”, “The Gabby Douglas Story”), Eugene Clark (“Land of the Dead”), “Night Heat”), Arnold Pinnock and Christopher Russell (“Land of the Dead”, “Day of the Dead”, “Star Trek: Discovery”).
This is not your usual holiday telefilm, you can tell this is more of a bigger budget telefilm with an original story and the fact they have En Vogue playing themselves (granted, aside from their music and likeness used, this is not their official history).
“An En Vogue Christmas” begins with En Vogue performing during the holidays at the San Francisco Opera House owned by Kendall’s father and her Uncle Marty (portrayed by David Alan Grier). The building was successful a decade prior, thanks to the performances of En Vogue which Marty managed. But Kendall and her father are very close and the opera house is part of their blood and their connection as father and daughter.
Fastforward a decade later and Kendall now is in artist management and represents one of the most popular international pop stars, but while going through her phone and checking out music news, she sees that the opera house is closing down. Which is shocking considering she is co-owner, alongside her Uncle Marty, which the two haven’t talked in ages.
We learn that the Opera House is closing as Marty is not able to book any major artists and Kendall blames it on him for his gambling addiction.
But knowing how important the Opera House is to her and it being the only connection to her dear father, Kendall comes up with an idea, what about reuniting En Vogue, so they can perform at a one night performance at the Opera House for Christmas. It’s her most favorite memory as a child growing up and she hopes she can make it a reality, to save the Opera House.
In order for Kendall to do that, she must try to cajole each member to joining and committing to the holiday performance.
But the members of En Vogue are busy with their own things, Terry owns her own recording studio, Cindy is a mother and wife busy with family duties and Rhona is now embarking her solo career and wants do distance herself from En Vogue.
Can Kendall convince the members of En Vogue to reunite for a one night special benefit concert?
For the most part, I absolutely enjoyed “An En Vogue Christmas”. I was surprised the three acted very well, as if they were long-time actresses. No hint of any bad acting from these three women, so I was very pleased with their performance acting and singing.
But the storyline is fresh and not something banal as you would see in a holiday film. Definitely one of the better holiday telefilms I have watched in 2022 so far! “An En Vogue Christmas” is recommended!
